Oakville Real Estate News

Questions To Ask Your Home Inspector

Attending the home inspection is a great opportunity to learn more about a house you intend to buy. Here
are some questions well worth asking during the inspection:

Can you show me? The language inspectors use can be confusing. Asking to see
problems first hand is extremely helpful in clarifying your understanding, and
gives you the opportunity to take pictures, video and notes as needed.

How serious is it? What sounds like a serious problem may not be and vice versa. This
question will help you decide whether you still want the home and help you to prioritize
repairs should you proceed with the purchase.

Who can fix it? Maybe you’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn the problem is one
you can easily remedy yourself. Or maybe
you’ll need to call in a specialist, in which case you’ll need to know what
kind to contact.

How does it work? Inspectors are experts who are happy to demonstrate their
knowledge. Asking them to show you how to shut off the gas, water and
electricity can save you critical time in an emergency.

How could I make this house more
livable? Your home inspector can
help you identify areas of the house that could be improved to make it more
livable and even save you money, like making it more energy efficient, for
example.

Terminology Tip

SURVEY — An assessment of
property lines summarized on a document that shows property boundaries and measurements.
The survey specifies the location of buildings, fences and other improvements
on the property, and states easements or encroachments that should be noted on
the title of the property.